History of Brazos Radio

“98.3 KORA” is one of five radio stations owned and operated by Brazos Valley Communications, Ltd in the Brazos Valley. The company owners are Texans with a long history as Texas broadcasters beginning in 1989. Brazos Radio began acquiring stations in the Brazos Valley in 2006 with the purchase of KORA-FM, KTAM-AM, KJXJ-FM, and KBXT-FM. KAPN-FM was acquired in late 2008 and became OLDIES 107.3 programming “Good Times and Great Oldies” in 2011. In 2015, OLDIES 107.3, became CLASSIC HITS 107.3.

The roots of the group began with KORA-AM at 1240 on the AM dial. The station’s first studio, located at 305 West 26th Street in Bryan, was the second station on the air in the area. D.C. Jones, the original owner and manager of the station started a long history of entertainment when he with a crew of nine others made their first broadcast on September 10, 1947 from Bryan, Texas.

The station was an immediate success with the voices of the original on-air personalities of Bill Thomas, Tom Dietz, and Bill Zak becoming part of area listeners’ daily lives. The popularity of the radio station, whose call sign was dedicated to Mr. Jones’ mother, Kora Jones, grew over the years to become the radio station of choice for the community, as a trusted source for the latest news, weather, and sports.

In 1966, the radio station reached two landmarks in its history when the station outgrew its original offices. As the station moved to its current location at 1240 Villa Maria Road in April of that year, it also launched its’ KORA-FM on 98.3 FM. That was the early beginnings of station owners being able to operate multiple stations in a local community. Today, broadcast companies may own up to as many as eight radio stations in a single community and Brazos Valley Radio has grown to five stations serving the entertainment and informational interests of an ever-growing Brazos Valley.

For six decades, the on-air personalities, sales force, administrative staff, and management have used the power and legacy of KORA to reach listeners in ways that benefited the less fortunate. The Radio M*A*S*H toy drive is known as the largest event of its kind in the Brazos Valley and annually provides toys for thousands of children who might otherwise be without gifts at Christmas.

Today, just as was the case in 1947, KORA and its sister stations in the Brazos Radio group continue to entertain, inform, and care for the people of Bryan-College Station and beyond. The stations along with our employees take great pride in remaining true to our heritage in bringing our listeners programming reflecting the values and interests of our listeners. These stations and our employees are committed to their community and to the support of community organizations. We serve and support community organizations to serve the public good and interests of the communities we are privileged to serve.

1 Comment

Carly, just heard: Will you do our costume contest Sat. Oct. 15 at 9am??
Roger, will you do our best trick contest annoucing Sunday Pctober 16 at 11:15??
I will see you tomorrow, Tuesday for the 8:50 am spot.
Many kind thank,
Kathy